Automatic whistling device.



6.1. JUNTUNEN.

AUTOMATIC WHISTLING DEVICE;

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. 191a.

Patented June 1, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I xxxx THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTC- LITHO., WASHINGYUN. DV 6 G. J. JUNTUNEN.

AUTOMATIC WHISTLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6, 1913. 1,141,344. Patented June 1, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

IHE NORRIS PETERS CO-. PHOTO-LIIHLL, WAsHINGmN. D. C.

GUSTIE J. JUNTUNEN, 0F DOLLAR BAY, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC 'WI-IISTLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Application filed August 6, 1913. Serial No. 783,388.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTIE J. J UNTUNEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dollar Bay, in the county of Houghton, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Whistling Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in railroad appliances, and has particular reference to the provision of means for causing the whistle of the locomotive to blow at certain predetermined times.

It is customary and most generally compulsory for the engineer of a railroad locomotive to blow his whistle upon approaching a crossing. Under certain conditions, however, it is sometimes impossible for the engineer to know the proper time to blow the whistle, as the crossing may be so poorly lighted as not to be discernible in the night time or in a thick fog. Also, anengineer new to the route might not recognize the crossing until too late to blow the whistle to any advantage.

The object of the present invention there fore resides in the provision of means automatically causing the whistle of the engine to be blown upon the engine approaching a crossing.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the whistle of the engine will be automatically blown whether the engine is approaching the crossing head on, or backing toward the crossing.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel combination, formation and arrangement of parts to be more fully hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the claim hereto appended.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate'corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View showing the arrangement for automatically blowing the whistle when an engine is approaching the crossing, head on, Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing a modification wherein the whistle is blown, when the train is approaching the crossing, head on, or backing, Fig. 3 is a view of the cab and upper portion of an engine showing the means for electrically and manually operating the whistle lever, Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line H of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the track adjacent a crossing showing the contact bars for the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the sliding contact carried by the engine in engagement with a contact bar.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown the two preferred embodiments of the invention, in Fig. 1 is shown the arrangement for automatically blowing the whistle only when the train is approaching the crossing, 5 designates the electro-magnet which attracts the armature 6 carried at one end of the rod 7 which is operatively connected to the whistle designated generally at 8. For energizing this magnet when the train is ap proaching a crossing, contact bars 9 are secured to one rail of the track, said bars being relatively long and having their ends turned inwardly at 10 so that the bars are readily engaged for sliding contact by the plates 11 carried by a suitable portion of the engine. A wire 12 leads from the contact plate 11 to the batteries 13 and a wire 14 leads from the batteries to one binding post of the magnet. From the other binding post of the magnet a wire 15 extends to a suitable portion of the engine and the current is transmitted through the engine to the rail and thence through the bar 9 to complete the circuit.

From the foregoing it is observed that when the engine approaches a crossing the plate 11 carried thereby will engage a contact bar 9 and a circuit will be formed to energize the magnet and thus blow the whistle. It is understood that one of these bars is positioned on each side of the crossing on the left hand side of the track inwardly of the rail so that the plate 11 may be carried by the truck or any suitable support in the engine.

For blowing the whistle at any desired time, a wire 16 is connected to the wire 15 and the wire 12, and on this wire is a switch 17 whereby the circuit may be closed regardless of the relative position of the contact plate and bar. Should the electrical apparatus at any time become inoperative,

means are provided for manually blowing the whistle. To accomplish this a lever 18 is pivotally suspended from the roof of the cab and the cord 7 which connects the whistle lever 19 and the armature 6 is passed through an aperture 20 in the intermediate portion of said lever. A suitable stop 21 is secured to the cord rearwardly of the lever. Therefore, should it be desired to manually blow the whistle, the operator pulls the lever, which engages the stop and thus moves the ro When it is desired to blow the whistle when a train is either approaching head on or backing to the crossing, the arrangement shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 5 is employed. In this arrangement, a pair of contact bars 9' are provided on each side of the track and on each side of the crossing, said bars being insulated from the track and each end of each pair of bars being connected by a wire 22. In this arrangement, the wire 15 leading from the magnet, instead of being grounded has its end secured to a second from thence through the wire lat back to the batteries. 7

From the foregoing it is observed that a relatively simple device has been provided which will efliciently perform the functions required thereof. It will be understood that Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents various minor changes and modifications within the scope of the appended claims may be made without departing in any manner from the spirit of the invention, for instance a magneto may be provided instead of the batteries.

Should the train stop when a contact plate 2 V and bar are in engagement, means are provided for breaking the circuit which comprises a switch 28 on the wire 12.}

What is claimed is: i

A whistling device'for railroad locomotivescomprising an electromagnet mounted upon the locomotive, a normally open elecwhen the latter is energized to move the rod longitudinally and open the whistle valve, a

lever. pivoted on the locomotive and provided 1 'T with an opening through which said rod passes, and a flange on said rod adapted to be engaged by the lever when moved in one direction to slide therod in the direction oi ing of the whistle.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

I V GUSTIE J. J UNTUNEN. Witnesses:

HENRY MATSON, J osnrn 'JENHOMEN.

Washington, D. 0. 

